Battle Creek and Calhoun County Election Results: November 3rd

Calhoun County’s unofficial November 3rd, 2026 election results show Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke leading a three-candidate race as all 47 county precincts report.

Behnke received 7,284 votes, or 45.44%, according to the county’s unofficial totals.

Lynn Ward Gray received 6,560 votes, or 40.92%, while Tino Smith received 2,074 votes, or 12.94%.

The results remain unofficial until the Calhoun County Board of Canvassers completes certification.

Battle Creek voters also selected three at-large City Commission members.

Joe Harris led that field with 4,913 votes, followed by Carole Davenport with 4,036 and Sherry Sofia with 4,025.

Jackson Bredehoft was close behind with 3,992 votes.

In ward contests, Jessica LaCosse received 2,122 votes in Ward 1.

Rochelle Hatcher led LeRoy Smith in Ward 2, 1,066 votes to 721.

Patrick O’Donnell received 1,653 votes in Ward 3, Christopher Simmons received 2,860 in Ward 4, and Jim Lance received 3,032 in Ward 5.

This election begins a new chapter for the commission because city voters approved four-year terms in May 2026, replacing the prior two-year terms.

The city’s 2026 elections page lists the November 3rd City Commission election, candidate materials and public notices.

In Marshall, Scott Wolfersberger led the mayoral contest with 1,681 votes to Ryan Watson’s 1,171.

Art Hill received 1,976 votes in Marshall Ward 1, Christian Brown received 1,972 in Ward 3, and the Ward 5 contest reported 605 write-in votes.

Springfield voters were asked to choose three council members.

Tracey Cummings led with 798 votes, followed by Ron Wells with 653 and Bernice Klein with 581.

Several school-board contests also appeared on local ballots.

For the two six-year Battle Creek Public Schools board seats, Shalana Thompson led with 4,537 votes and Robert Walker followed with 3,343.

Charlie Fulbright received 3,116 votes and Nathan Grajek received 2,992.

In the Battle Creek Public Schools partial-term race, where voters could select two, Kate Flores received 6,634 votes and Felicia Hayden received 5,924.

For Harper Creek Community Schools, Beau Bess received 3,830 votes and Barry Smith received 3,662 for the two available seats.

These figures reflect the county’s reporting page after every precinct had submitted results, but they are not final certified totals.

Certification can include the review of canvass reports and resolution of any discrepancies before results become official.

Q: Are the November 3rd Calhoun County election results final?

A: No. The totals are unofficial until the Calhoun County Board of Canvassers certifies them.

Q: Who led the Battle Creek mayoral race?

A: Mark Behnke led with 7,284 votes, ahead of Lynn Ward Gray and Tino Smith.

Q: How many Calhoun County precincts had reported?

A: All 47 of 47 precincts were reporting on the county’s results page.